Vinson & Elkins has strengthened its London energy transactions and projects practice with the hire of partner Kimberley Wood from fellow US firm Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Wood, who was promoted to Dewey's partnership in this year's promotions round, focuses on energy transactions, with a particular emphasis on oil and gas.

She has advised clients on acquisitions and divestitures of exploration and production assets, including financing, negotiating and preparing exploration and production licenses and joint venture agreements.

Commenting on the appointment, Vinson's London managing partner Alex Msimang said: "Kimberley is a talented and hard-working oil and gas partner, which makes her a perfect fit for Vinson & Elkins' London office."

Wood is the second partner to join the Texan firm's London office this year. Her arrival follows the hire of construction partner Nick Henchie, who joined the office last month to lead the international construction practice.

The hires follow the departure of City finance partner Raminder Singh, who joined Essar Global as its first-ever general counsel in November. The FTSE 100 company, one of Vinson's main clients in London, has overhauled its legal function in an attempt to route more in-house work through the City.